12 Best Cabin Air Filters

What happens if your cabin air filter is dirty? You’ll notice an unpleasant smell that doesn’t disappear no matter how many times you clean your interior. It’s hard to enjoy your ride to work or meeting with friends because that unwanted smell just ruins your mood. Is there a solution to this problem? Yes, there is. You just need to look at the best cabin air filters we’ve reviewed below.

1. Cabin Air Filters that give you value for money

1. Toyota OEM Cabin Air Filter

In order to get the best experience out of your car, it’s advisable to use accessories made by your auto manufacturer. This cabin air filter serves a variety of subcompact and estate Toyota models produced since 2015. One advantage of this design is that you won’t experience higher maintenance costs when upgrading to another Toyota.

This sturdy corners and plastic sealing around the filter assures you of long-lasting quality. The HEPA-like filters can trap a variety of large particles such as dander flowing in through your engine during summer. You can also count on them to trap smoke molecules and reduce bad odors in your car.

2. EPAuto CP134 Premium Cabin Air Filter

If you own a Honda and urgently need a cabin air filter replacement, here’s a brand that you should consider. It has a large surface area that gives it the advantage to cleanse air at a higher rate. This makes it ideal for family vans and SUVs because they carry several passengers compared to smaller cars.

How long does it take to install a replacement unit? Just a couple of minutes. All you need to do is open the back of your glove compartment, press the two locks on either side and take out your dirty filter. It doesn’t emit any chemicals or gases when your AC is running.

3. Mann Filter With Activated Charcoal

Do you own a BMW or Mercedes Benz? Mann Filter carbon air filters are ideal replacements due to two reasons. The set contains an activated carbon mesh. Why is carbon important? Because it has a high odor absorption rate. That’s why most air purifiers for homes and offices contain this layer.

Second, this filter gets rid of allergens flowing inside your car using electrostatic charges. Odors usually contain positive ions while your filter has the opposite charge. This enables it to attract any pollen and microscopic particles that are harmful to your lungs.

4. Fram CF10134 Cabin Air Filter

There’s no reason why you can’t get an affordable cabin air filter replacement. Why? Because the Fram CF10134 costs less than $15. Despite its low price, you can count on it to keep off airborne particles and allergens out of your car for up to 30,000 miles if you live in a clean area that’s dust-free.

When you look at this filter, you’ll notice that it uses a combination of carbon and baking soda. These two chemical compounds have high odor absorption rates and combining them on one filter ensures you enjoy fresh air all day.

5. TYC Toyota Replacement Cabin Air Filter

Here’s another filter that contains a layer of activated carbon just like the Mann filter. It’s also really affordable which makes things easier for first-time car owners. Just like most units here, installing it takes less than five minutes because you simply need to pull out the old filter located behind your glove compartment.

The outer material is almost similar to a HEPA filter. It also traps minute particles and microorganisms that usually evade electrostatic filters. If you’re a first-time car owner, you’ll have an easy time installing this filter because it has instructions printed on the top side.

6. EPAuto CP285 Premium Cabin Air Filter

The EPAuto CP285 will provide you with clean fresh air for about ten months. This is roughly the same as 10,000 miles since the average driver covers 12,000 miles annually. However, you can’t complain about the product’s duration when it costs less than $10. It’s short duration and low price make it ideal for long road trips.

When air flows inside your car, it passes through a set of thick rectangular padded panels made from activated carbon and baking soda. All odors get absorbed in this stage and you get odorless fresh air coming out of your vents all day.

7. FRAM CF10285 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter

Despite lacking HEPA sets, this unit cleans up to 98% of dander, dust, and pollen flowing into your cabin. This makes it an ideal choice when traveling with children or senior citizens dealing with pulmonary illnesses. You also need this unit during summer time to keep off allergens floating in the air.

Just like the EPAuto, the FRAMCF10285 is best suited for short-term needs. It also uses a combination of activated carbon and baking soda to trap odor molecules. This aftermarket brand works on a variety of models.

8. K&N VF2000 Cabin Air Filter

Are you looking for a cabin air filter that’s maintenance free? The K&N VF2000 is just what you need in your car. It uses an electrostatic cloth to trap odors and allergens about to enter your cabin. This fabric can trap up to 99.7% of microscopic airborne pollutants that are responsible for allergies and illnesses.

How do you wash this filter? If you’ve just covered 15,000 miles, take out the unit from under your glove compartment. Next, spray it with liquid soap making sure you capture the corners. Rinse it under cold running water and place it out to dry in the sun.

9. EPAuto CP819 Premium Cabin Air Filter

Do you own a Hyundai or KIA? The EPAuto is an alternative aftermarket brand that costs less than $15. Its huge size makes it compatible with several SUVs for both brands. How long can it serve you? If you reside in a moderate environment, you’ll only need to get a replacement annually.

The HEPA-like material is safe all year round because it doesn’t release any harmful chemicals when exposed to summer heat. Is it a good idea to take it out and vacuum it instead of purchasing a new one? No, it isn’t because once particles get stuck, it’s hard to remove them from your filter.

10. Fram FCF8791A Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter

What’s the difference between this filter and the Fram CF10285? The FCF879 is bigger in size and best suited for pickup trucks, SUVs, and even semi-trailers. Just like its predecessor, you can purchase this set for less than $15.

You’ll need to get replacements after every 12,000 miles. However, if you reside or work in a dusty area, it might take less mileage. This Fram cabin filter captures 99.8% of dust and that’s enough to prevent any sneezing or watery eyes.

11. K&N VF2007 Washable & Reusable Cabin Air Filter

Washable filters are ideal when traveling in dusty areas. You can clean them every day to maintain clean airflow at all times. Just make sure you dry them out properly to prevent mold growth.

The K&N VF2007 costs approximately $40 and built for Honda and Kia models. A new set comes pretreated with a solution that eliminates any airborne microorganisms upon contact. When it gets dirty just use ordinary soap and water to clean it. You’ll just install it the same way you do with other filters on this list.

12. Beck Arnley 042-2180 Cabin Air Filter

The Beck Arnley 042 cabin air filters are made using waterproof foam. The reason behind this is to prevent moisture accumulation. Moisture tends to condense when passing through plastic filters and the heat produced by your engine makes it conducive for mold growth. Fortunately, you won’t experience mold smells when you install this unit in your car.

If you’re looking for affordability, this unit should be in your potential list of brands. It costs less than $20 and serves you consistently for a distance of 12,000 miles. The HEPA-like filtration will help keep out flu when driving around when it’s cold.

2. Two tips on getting the best air in your car

1. Clean your vents regularly

During cold weather seasons, the humidity in the air promotes mold growth all over. As cold air flows into your hot engine, the moisture droplets condense in dark areas that receive little ventilation. That’s why you might experience a foul smell when you activate your AC.

How do you deal with this problem? By cleaning your ventilations at least once a month.

2. Change your filter after every 15,000 miles

If you look at the 12 units we’ve reviewed in this post, you’ll notice one thing. None of these cabin air filters have reminders to notify you about the next replacement. It’s up to you to remember that you need to get a new cabin air filter after covering 15,000 miles.

Get one today!

Driving with a foul odor in the car can really be embarrassing when you have a date or a client inside your car. So, save yourself from such situations by getting any of the brands we’ve discussed here today.

We represent a team of people who are really concerned about the increasing pollution of the air around us. Air purifiers are excellent devices that can make a huge difference in the quality of indoor air. Our reviews are unbiased and are written straight from our own experience.